Devices, Systems, and Methods for Seed Trench Protection

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are various devices, systems, and methods for protecting open seed trenches form ingress of foreign material, such as plant residue. The preventing foreign material from entering the open seed trench during planting increases crop yield by minimizing delayed germination and late plant emergence. Various implementations of adjustable row cleaners may be used to prevent ingress of foreign material. Also, various shields may be disposed on the row units of a planter to prevent ingress of foreign material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application 62/650,779, filed Mar. 30, 2018, and entitled“Seed Trench Protection from Foreign Material Ingress,” which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to agricultural planters, and morespecifically, seeders that cut a trench in the soil, dispense seeds inthe open trench, and close the soil around the seed. In variousimplementations, the disclosed devices, systems and methods preventforeign materials, such as crop residue, dry soil, soil clods, and otherunwanted foreign material from entering open seed trenches duringplanting.

BACKGROUND

Uniform seed germination and plant emergence are critical to achievemaximum yield potential for agricultural crops such as corn. Unwantedforeign materials, such as crop residue, in the trench beside or abovethe seed can communicate disease, delay germination, and/or cause lateemergence. Additionally, dry crop residue, dry soil, clods, otherforeign matter, or a combination thereof can block all or part of a seedfrom contacting moist soil, thereby delaying germination when comparedto seeds in full contact with moist soil. Also, seedling shoots thatmust grow through or around residue, clods, and other foreign matter,may emerge later than seeds in a clean, unimpeded trench. This delayedgermination and/or late emergence can negatively affect overall cropyield.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, rotating gauge wheels 16 and row cleaners 12 areknown to move/throw unwanted foreign material 2, including crop residue2, into open trenches 4. Faster machine speeds can exacerbate thisproblem. Additionally, crop residue 2 and foreign matter 2 can be foundon the soil surface very close to the open trench 4 after the foreignmatter passes underneath the gauge wheels 16. Often, this crop residue 2and foreign matter 2 passes through or feeds between the two closingdiscs 14. As the closing discs 14 pinch the trench 4 closed withsurrounding soil, the crop residue 2 or foreign matter 2 can be buriedin the trench 4 or left on the soil surface above the emerging seedling.As discussed above, foreign material 2 in the seed trench 4 or above theseed can negatively affect crop yield.

As such, there is a need in the art for devices, systems, and methods toprevent crop residue 2 and foreign material 2 from entering an open seedtrench 4 during planting.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are various devices, systems, and methods forpreventing unwanted foreign material from entering a seed trench duringplanting.

One Example includes an agricultural planter including a plurality ofrow units including one or more opening discs; one or more gauge wheels;one or more closing discs; a trench protection system including at leastone of an adjustable row cleaner and/or a shield, Other embodiments ofthis Example include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, andcomputer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devicesconfigured to perform the actions of the methods.

Implementations according to this Example may include one or more of thefollowing features. The Example further including at least one rowcleaner actuator. The Example including at least one adjustable rowcleaner that is adjustable via the at least one actuator to adjust atleast one of tilt angle, pitch angle, and wheel depth. The Exampleincluding a flexible shield disposed between the gauge wheels and theclosing discs to block residue from entering an open seed trench. TheExample including a shield, where the shield is attached to a seedfirmer. The Example where the shield further includes a cover disposedon the seed firmer. The Example including a shield, where the shield isangled away from the one or more closing discs. The Example including aselectively detachable shield. The Example including a shield, where theshield is constructed and arranged to roll along a ground surface. Theplanter including a shield, where the shield moves independently of aseed firmer. The Example including a flexible shield and an adjustablerow cleaner including at least one row cleaner actuator. Implementationsof the described techniques may include hardware, a method or process,or computer software on a computer-accessible medium.

One Example includes a seed trench protecting system for a row unitincluding at least one closing disc; at least one gauge wheel; and atrench protection system including a row cleaner including a row cleanerrow unit; and a shield disposed between the at least one gauge wheel andthe at least one closing disc, where the shield prevents ingress offoreign material into an open seed trench. Other embodiments of thisExample include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computerprograms recorded on one or more computer storage devices configured toperform the actions of the methods.

Implementations according to this Example may include one or more of thefollowing features. The Example further including at least two rowcleaner wheels. The Example where the row cleaner wheels further includetines and a length of the tines is automatically adjustable. The Examplewhere tine length increases as planting speed increases. The Examplewhere row tilt angle, pitch angle, and depth of the row cleaner wheelsis automatically adjustable. The Example where the pitch angle decreasesas planting speed increases.

Another Example is directed to an agricultural planting system for a rowunit including at least one closing disc; at least one gauge wheel; anda trench protection system including an adjustable row cleaner.

Implementations according to this Example may include one or more of thefollowing features. The Example where the adjustable row cleanerincludes at least two row cleaner wheels, and at least one of the rowtilt angle, pitch angle, and depth of the row cleaner wheels isautomatically adjustable. The Example where row cleaner wheel pitchangle decreases as planting speed increases. The Example where theadjustable row cleaner includes at least two row cleaner wheels, and therow cleaner wheels further include tines and the length of the tines isautomatically adjustable. The Example where tine length increases asplanting speed increases. The Example further including a shield.

In various Examples, a system of one or more computers can be configuredto perform particular operations or actions by virtue of havingsoftware, firmware, hardware, or a combination of them installed on thesystem that in operation causes or cause the system to perform theactions. One or more computer programs can be configured to performparticular operations or actions by virtue of including instructionsthat, when executed by data processing apparatus, cause the apparatus toperform the actions.

While multiple implementations are disclosed, still otherimplementations of the present disclosure will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the following detailed description, which showsand describes illustrative implementations of the invention. As will berealized, the disclosure is capable of modifications in various obviousaspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to beregarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a field under a row unit duringplanting, according to one implementation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a field near a row unit during planting,according to one implementation.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an open seed trench, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a planter, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a row unit with a row cleaner, according toone implementation.

FIG. 5B is a flow chart depicting a closed loop feedback control system,according to one implementation.

FIG. 6A is a side view of row cleaner wheels, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 6B is a side view of row cleaner wheels, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 6C is a front view of a row cleaner, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 6D is a top view of a row cleaner, according to one implementation.

FIG. 6E is a front view of a row cleaner, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a planter row unit, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a seed firmer, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a planter row unit, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a planter row unit, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a planter row unit, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a planter row unit, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a planter row unit, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a shield, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of a planter row unit, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 16 is a top view of a planter row unit, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a planter row unit, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 18 is a side view of a planter row unit, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a planter row unit, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 20 is a top view of a planter row unit, according to oneimplementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various implementations disclosed or contemplated herein relate todevices, systems, and methods for protecting open seed trenches fromforeign material. More particularly, to various devices, systems, andmethods for shielding or otherwise preventing the entrance of foreignmaterial into an open seed trench or furrow. The various shield devicesmay be attached to a planter row unit between the opening wheels andclosing discs to protect the open seed trench from foreign matter.Various implementations may also include an optional row cleaner formoving foreign material. By minimizing the amount of foreign matter inand around the seed trench, the disclosed implementations can preventyield loss by controlling for growth retarding circumstances includingdisease, delayed germination, late emergence and the like.

The trench protection system 1 may include various optional components,systems, and subsystems. For example, in certain implementations, theprotection system includes at least one of an optional adjustable rowcleaner and/or an optional shields. The various optional components,systems, and subsystems as described herein can be implementedindividually or in any combination of the protection system 1.

As is shown generally in FIG. 4, agricultural planters 8 typically havea plurality of individual row units 10. An exemplary row unit 10 isdepicted in FIG. 5A. These row units 10 may also have various optionalcomponents including row cleaners 12, closing discs 14, gauge wheels 16,opening discs 20 and others. Certain row units 10 may include all orsome of these components, as is well understood in the art, and thespecific configurations can change depending on use.

Row cleaners 12 are configured to remove residue 2 in front of theopening discs 20. The trench protection system 1 according to certainimplementations includes an optional adjustable row cleaner 12. Invarious implementations, the adjustable row cleaner 12 has an associatedadjustment system 3.

In the implementations of the system 1 in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6A-6E, theplanter row unit 10 has a row cleaner 12 with a row cleaner wheel unit21. The row cleaner wheel unit 21 can, in certain implementations havepaired row cleaner wheels 22A, 22B. The row cleaner wheel unit 21 andpaired row cleaner wheels 22A, 22B can automatically or manually adjustvia an adjustment system 3 to change the amount, velocity, and directionof residue 2 removed by the row cleaner wheel unit 21 and the paired rowcleaner wheels 22A, 22B.

In various implementations, and as detailed further below, row cleaner12 adjustments may include, but are not limited to, altering the depthof the row cleaner wheel unit 21 and paired row cleaner wheels 22A, 22B,angle of the row cleaner wheel unit 21 and paired row cleaner wheels22A, 22B, or the shape of the row cleaner wheel unit 21 and paired rowcleaner wheels 22A, 22B.

It is understood that the adjustment of row cleaners 12 using prior arttechniques was often cumbersome requiring frequent adjustments in orderto effectively remove residue 2 without removing significant amounts ofsoil. Maintaining the proper calibration of row cleaners 12 wasadditionally made difficult because the proper calibration depends on avariety of factors including planting speed, residue quantity, soiltype, and other factors as would be recognized. These variables maychange quickly and many times throughout a field. The row cleaner 12 andadjustment system 3 disclosed herein can adjust the row cleaner 12 asneeded allowing for proper calibration of the row cleaner 12 throughoutplanting.

In the various implementations shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6A-6E,adjustment of the row cleaner 12 may be automatic, and may be partly orwholly controlled by feedback from vehicle speed, crop residue quantity,cleaner wheel RPM, soil type, and/or other sensors or feedbackmechanisms as would be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

In certain of these implementations, the adjustment system 3 includes aclosed loop feedback control system 5. The closed loop feedback controlsystem 5 may include sensors 23 that monitor the flow of soil, spread ofsoil, and/or residue moved by the row cleaners 12, as is shown inrelation to FIG. 5A.

The closed feedback control system 5 as shown in FIG. 5A has sensors 23in communication with one or more controllers 25 in communication withthe row cleaner 12. In various implementations, the connections betweenthese components are electrical and/or wired or wireless. FIG. 5B showsan exemplary flow chart of the closed feedback control system 5.

In various implementations, the sensors 23 are constructed and arrangedto detect or otherwise sense (box 110) varying conditions, as describedabove. The sensors 23 are in communication with the controller 25. Thecontroller 25 may be located on the row unit 10 or elsewhere on theplanter 8, associated tractor, or elsewhere as would be appreciated bythose of skill in the art.

The controller 25 is constructed and arranged to assess (box 112) thevarious inputs from the sensors 23. The controller 25 is in turn incommunication with the row cleaner 12, actuator(s) 27 and/or associatedadjustment system 3 and may adjust (box 114) the row cleaner 12 inaccordance with the sensed (box 110) conditions via commands directed tothe actuator(s) 27. It would be appreciated by those of skill in the artthat the steps and processes of the closed feedback control system 5 canbe performed in any order and may include additional steps.

In one example, the row cleaner 12 may be automatically adjusted forchanges in planting speed. Known row cleaners 12 have typically beenoptimized for speeds of about 4-5 miles per hour, and it is understoodthat the use of these known row cleaners 12 at higher speeds may resultin residue 2 being thrown into adjacent rows including into seedtrenches 4. The disclosed row cleaner 12 can be automatically adjustedvia the adjustment system 3 to account for faster planting speeds toremove residue 2 without removing excess soil and/or throwing residue 2into adjacent rows and trenches 4. Additionally, the change in plantingspeed can be detected by a sensor 23 and the closed loop control system5. When the change is speed is detected or sensed (box 110) by thesensors 23, a signal may be sent to the controller 25. The controller 25may then assess (box 112) the signal from the sensor 23. The controllermay then send a corresponding signal to the adjustment system 3 andassociated components to indicate to the adjustment system 3 that therow cleaner 12 should be adjusted (box 114).

The sensors 23 may be residue sensors 23, which may include, but are notlimited to, vision systems, radar, laser imaging, ultrasound, or anyvariety of contact sensors. The automatic row cleaner adjustment system3 according to certain implementations may utilize feedback from residuesensors 23 detecting and/or measuring residue moving towards open seedtrenches, including the seed trenches of adjacent rows. Certainnon-limiting examples of sensors 23 that can measure vehicle speedinclude: GPS, vehicle speedometer and ground engaging devices, such asthe row cleaners 12.

Continuing with the implementations of FIGS. 6A-6E, adjustments to therow cleaner 12 may include changing the shape of the row cleaner wheelunit 21, and/or paired row cleaner wheels 22A, 22B. As shown in FIG. 6A,the tines 24 of the row cleaner wheel unit 21 can be extended orretracted, in the direction of reference arrow A.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the depth band 26 of the row cleaner wheel unit 21can be adjusted. The depth band 26 can be extended or narrowed, in thedirection of reference arrow B. In these and other implementations, theeffect may be such that the tines 24 are lengthened to move more residue2 or conversely the tines 24 are shortened to move less residue 2. Inuse, according to these implementations, these adjustments to the tines24 and/or depth band 26 can be made via actuators 27. In various otherimplementations adjustments may be made via mechanical linkages,weights, springs, and/or actively controlled with electric, pneumatic,or hydraulic actuators 27, as well as additional actuators 27 andtechnologies understood by the skilled artisan. Adjustments can be madeautomatically or manually via the adjustment system 3.

In some implementations, adjustments to the row cleaner wheel unit 21and paired row cleaner wheels 22A, 22B may also include altering theangle of the paired row cleaner wheels 22A, 22B. That is, in someimplementations the tilt angle can be adjusted—such as in the directionof reference arrow C shown in FIG. 6C. In FIG. 6C, as viewed from thefront, the tilt angle C between the two paired row cleaner wheels 22A,22B can be increased or decreased as desired.

In these and other implementations, the pitch angle may also beadjusted—such as in the direction of reference arrow D shown in FIG. 6D.The pitch angle D viewed from the top in FIG. 6D, is the angle betweenthe two paired row cleaner wheels 22A, 22B and can be increased ordecreased as desired.

In one exemplary implementation, as travel speed increases, theadjustment system 3 may automatically decrease the pitch angle D suchthat the angle at which the residue 2 is thrown away from the rowcleaner 12 is away from the adjacent row(s). In an alternativeimplementation, as travel speed decreases, the adjustment system 3 mayautomatically increase pitch angle D, such that the row cleaner 12sweeps a wider path of residue 2 for the row. Further implementationswould be apparent to those of skill in the art.

Shown in FIG. 6E, row cleaner wheel unit 21 may increase or decrease indepth, in the direction of reference arrow E. In one example, when thecircumference velocity of the row cleaner wheel unit 21 is less thanvehicle speed, the adjustment system 3 may adjust the row cleaner wheelunit 21 and/or paired row cleaner wheels 22A, 22B such that their depthis increased. In another example, the system 3 may increase the depth ofthe row cleaner wheel unit 21 and/or paired row cleaner wheels 22A, 22Bwhen quantity of residue 2 increases.

The above described adjustments to the row cleaner 12 and row cleanerwheel unit 21 and paired row cleaner wheels 22A, 22B can be usedindividually or in any combination, as desired. In variousimplementations adjustments to the row cleaner wheels 22A, 22B can bemade via actuators 27, such as electrical, hydraulic, and/or pneumaticactuators. In these and other implementations, adjustments to the rowcleaner wheels 22A, 22B are made via mechanical linkages, weights,and/or springs.

In further implementations of the protection system 1, the planter rowunit 10 may include various shields 28 disposed substantially betweenthe opening discs 20 and the closing discs 14 to protect the seed trench4 from ingress of foreign material 2. These implementations havingshields 28 may be used in addition to or instead of the row cleaner 12with the adjustment system 3 as described above.

FIGS. 7-20 depict various implementations wherein the protection system1 has a shield 28 used to block foreign material 2 from entering a seedtrench 4. In various implementations, the shield 28 is constructed andarranged to provide a physical barrier to the seed trench 4 or furrow.The shield 28 is additionally constructed and arranged to shield cropresidue 2 or other foreign material 2 to prevent the material 2 fromentering an open trench 4 between the opening discs 20/gauge wheels 16and closing discs 14. By shielding the trench 4 from foreign material 2crop yield can be improved by controlling for growth retardingcircumstances including disease, delayed germination, and lateemergence.

It is understood that elements of any of the disclosed implementationsmay be modularly combined to suit the variations and nuances ofdifferent row units 10 and applications. For example, a shield 28 may becombined with a seed firmer 18 and mounted at a mounting point 32 to arow unit 10. Alternatively, the shield 28 may be attached with a rowunit 10 at a different point from the seed firmer 18 to provideindependent shielding and firming functions, such that the seed firmer18 and shield 28 do not interfere or impede the action of the other.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in some implementations, the shield 28comprises an elongate, substantially planar, optionally adjustable cover30. In certain implementations, the cover 30 is molded into or otherwisefixedly attached to the top of the firmer 18 such that the cover 30extends beyond the width of the seed trench 4, at or above the soillevel. In various implementations, the cover 30 is selectivelyadjustable and/or releasable. Adjustments to the cover 30 can be made toaccount for optimal placement of the cover 30 for the desired plantingdepth.

In various implementations, where the shield 28 is used in connectionwith a seed firmer 18 that rides in the trench 4 below the shield 28.The firmer 18 may be able to move independently of the shield 28.Additionally, the shield 28 may incorporate a firmer 18 that is placedin the trench 4 on its own spring-loaded arm.

In various implementations, the height of the firmer 18 may be adjusted,that is increased or decreased—for example such that the firmer 18extends above the seed trench 4. The position of the cover 30 may beadjustable.

The size of the cover 30 may be such that the cover 30 extends from therear edge of the opening discs 20 to the pinch point of the closingdiscs 14. Various other sizes and configurations are of course possible.

In various implementations, the cover 30 is constructed and arrangedsuch that the overall size and shape of the firmer 18 may be adapted orincreased to fill more of the seed trench 4 than a traditional firmer18. The larger firmer 18A, 18B, shown in FIG. 9, is constructed andarranged for the purpose of keeping all foreign material 2 out of theseed trench 4. The cover 30 and/or the firmer 18 structure may push orsweep loose soil and residue 2 away from the seed trench 4. It isunderstood that in use, moving foreign material 2 away from the trench 4allows for only the soil forming the trench 4 to surround the seed whenthe closing discs 14 pinch the seed trench 4 closed.

In some implementations, the cover 30 incorporates one or more riders 34and/or articulated joints 36 (also referred to herein as a hinge 36).The riders 34 and articulated joints 36 are constructed and arrangedsuch that the cover 30 can adjust along with the contours of the ground.Movement of the cover 30 may be desirable such that the outer edges ofthe cover 30 or rider elements 34 would ride along the surface of theground.

The articulated joints 36 may be designed such that the upward force ofthe cover 30 or rider 34 does not exceed the downward force of thefirmer mounting arm 32. This configuration may prevent the firmer 18from pushing up and out of the seed trench 4.

In alternate implementations, the cover 30 can be constructed andarranged so as to be directly engaged with the ground. In these andother implementations, articulated joints 36 flex to the planting depth.It is understood that the articulated joints 36 are necessarilyconstructed and arranged such that any force exerted by the articulatedjoints 36 is less than the force holding the firmer 18 in the trench 4,such that the articulated joints 36 do not push the firmer 18 up and outof the bottom of the trench 4.

In various alternative implementations, the size of the firmer 18 isincreased in length and width such that the entire open seed trench 4between the rear of the opening disks 20 and the closing discs 14 isfilled by the firmer 18, as shown in FIG. 9. Further shapes and sizesare of course possible.

In some implementations, the cross-sectional shape of the firmer 18 maybe configured such that the firmer 18 occupies more of the seed trench 4to prevent ingress of residue 2 and loose soil. The firmer 18 may becomprised of a series of links 18A, 18B with hinges 38 between the links18A, 18B. The hinge(s) 38 are constructed such that the firmer unit 18can flex vertically and/or horizontally. A flexible firmer 18 may beneeded to ensure that the firmer 18 remains in the seed trench 4, doesnot break, does not cause damage to the seed trench 4, and/or does nototherwise disrupt the proper placement of the seed.

In certain implementations, the firmer 18 may push or sweep loose soiland residue up and away from the seed trench such that only the soilforming the trench 4 surrounds the seed when the closing discs 14 pinchthe seed trench 4 closed.

In various implementations, the firmer 18 as described in relation toFIG. 11 may be used in combination with the devices and methodsdescribed above in relation to FIGS. 9 and 10. Additionally,implementations including shield elements 28—such as a firmer 18 and/orcover 30—can be combined with the adjustable row cleaner 12, discussedabove in relation to FIGS. 5-6E.

In some implementations, a shield 28 may be mounted to the planter rowunit 12 and comprise one or more guard members 40A, 40B that extendrearward from inside of or near the rear of the opening discs 28—wherethe seed trench 4 is created—shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The guard members40A, 40B may extend at an outward angle from the seed trench 4 in thespace between the gauge wheels 16 and closing discs 14. In certain ofthese implementations, the outward angle allows the guard members 40A,40B to block and deflect loose soil and crop residue 2 picked up by thegauge wheels 16 and project such residue 2 rearward and away from theseed trench 4.

The guard members 40A, 40B, according to these implementations, deflectthe residue 2 away from the open seed trench 4 and closing discs 14 suchthat residue 2 in the seed trench 4 and on top of the seed trench 4 isminimized. In various implementations, the guard members 40A, 40B mayinclude slots, mounting holes, and mounting brackets for the purpose ofmounting sensors 42A, 42B. In various implementations the sensors 42A,42B may be sensors for measuring soil height (trench depth) and/or othersoil characteristics as would be appreciated by those of skill in theart.

In various implementations, the guard members 40A, 40B may be linked toor otherwise in mechanical communication with one or more gauge wheelsupports 44A, 44B. By linking the guard members 40A, 40B to the gaugewheel supports 44A, 44B the position and spacing of the guard members40A, 40B with the gauge wheels 16 can be kept constant, as would bereadily appreciated.

In some implementations, the guard members 40A, 40B may constructed outof flexible materials, such as bristles or canvas or other material thatflexes and/or bounces back if hit by rocks, large clods, or other large,heavy field debris. Constructing guard members 40A, 40B out of flexiblematerials can also increase the durability of the guard members 40A, 40Bsuch that they need to be replaced or repaired less frequently.

As shown in FIGS. 12-15, the shield 28 and guard members 40 may includea break-away system 7 where the bolts 46 and/or brackets 44 that attachthe shield 28 to the row unit 10 allow the shield 28 to break away fromthe row unit 10 when the shield 28 strikes an immovable object, such asa rock. The break-away system 7 may be designed such that one end of theshield 28 will break away while a second end of the shield 28 remainsattached preventing the shield 28 from being becoming completelydetached from the row unit 10 and being lost in a field during planting.

The brackets 44 and/or bolts 46 may be disposed at various attachmentpoints along the guard member 40 and/or shield 28. In variousimplementations, one or more bolts 46 are disposed at the top of theshield 28 proximal to the gauge wheel 16. Additional bolts 46 and/orcorresponding brackets 44 may be disposed at the bottom of the shield 28proximal to the ground/trench 4.

In the implementations of FIGS. 16 and 17, the shield 28 is a flexibleshield 28. The flexible shield 28 may be constructed an arranged suchthat it may expand or contract as described herein. Gauge wheels 16 movein a circular path about a pivot point on the row unit 10. When theplanter 8—shown in FIG. 4—is lifted, the gauge wheel arms 58 restagainst a stationary stop that defines a certain point on an arc towhich the gauge wheels 16 always return when in the lifted position.When the planter 8 is lowered, gauge wheels 16 touch the ground and moveup and forward. As the gauge wheels 16 move forward the gauge wheels 16move away from closing discs 14. The gauge wheel 16 rotate forward,about an arc length until the gauge wheel arms 58 hit the depth settingstops.

In these and other implementations, as the gauge wheels 16 rotateforward, the shield 28 expands behind the gauge wheels 16. As the shield28 expands it shelters the top of the open trench 4. When the planter islifted, the gauge wheels 16 rotate back, towards the closing discs 14,pushing and collapsing the shield 28—as shown in FIG. 16—to make roomfor the gauge wheels 16 as they rotate back. The shield 28 may becollapsible in whole or in part.

The collapsible part of the flexible shield 28 may constructed ofbristles, canvas, or any other flexible material as would be appreciatedby those of skill in the art. In alternative implementations, theflexible shield 28 is constructed of a rigid material and includes aspring action element or hinge to provide flexibility between expandedand collapsed positions.

In various implementations, the shield 28 may be mounted to a bracket 52attached to the row unit 10 or seed tube 54. Alternatively, the shield28 can be integrated with a firmer 18. The shield mount 53 may be madewith a resilient material having a downward spring force. The downwardspring force keeps the shield 28 assembly engaged with the ground as theplanter 8 traverses a field.

In various implementations, the shield 28 comprises skids 56 or ski-likeoutrigger elements 56 that will ride along the surface of the soil oneach side of the seed trench 4. The skids 56 will allow the shield 28 tofollow the contours of the ground while maintaining protection over theopen seed trench 4. The skids 56 may be of various shapes and sizes andextend beyond the ground contact area of the closing discs 14.

As shown in FIG. 18, in an alternative implementation, the shield 28 maycomprise a roller 60. The roller 60 may be placed on each side of theseed trench 4 behind the gauge wheels 16. The roller 60 may be a wheel,or series of wheels, or a track. The roller 60 may be used alone or inconjunction with the shield 28 implementations discussed herein and/orthe adjustable row cleaner 12 discussed above. The roller 60 may providea physical barrier to prevents ingress of unwanted residue 2 that cannegatively impact the germination and growth of the seed and subsequentplants.

The roller 60, in various implementations, may be linked to one or moregauge wheel support members 44. The linkage of the roller 60 to thegauge wheel support member 44 allows for maintaining constant positionand spacing with the gauge wheels 16 and roller 60. In someimplementations, the gauge wheel arm 58 may limit the travel of theroller 60 to keep the roller 60 in the proper position.

In various implementations, the roller 60 may be similarly linked to theclosing discs 14 to maintain proper position in relation to the ground.

In some implementations, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the shield 28, isa rolling shield 28. The rolling shield 28 may consist of two shields28, disposed on each side of the row unit 10 between each gauge wheels16 and closing wheel 14. The shield 28 may be constructed to float/rollon the soil surface on each side of the open trench 4. The rollingshield 28 may be a straight, concave or convex shaped disk blade. Insome implementations, the rolling shield 28 may include spikes or teethalong its perimeterr—similar to the tines 24 of the row cleaner 12 shownin FIGS. 6A and 6B.

The rolling shield 28 may include a depth band—similar to that shown inFIG. 6B as discussed above in relation to the row cleaner wheels 22,22A, 22B. The rolling shield 28 may be adjustable—as discussed above inrelation to the row cleaner 12 in FIGS. 6A-6E.

The rolling shield 28 may rake or throw any crop residue 2 away from oroutside of the closing discs 14, thereby preventing residue 2 frompassing between closing discs 14. The rolling shield 28 may also shieldairborne crop residue 2 from falling into the open trench 4.

The rolling shield 28 may be disposed at an angle, away from the closingdiscs 14, such that residue 2 cleared by the rolling shield 28 is thrownaway from or outside of the closing discs 14, as best shown in FIG. 20.

In some implementations, the rolling shield 28 may be mounted directlyto the row unit 10. As the planting depth settings change and/or thesoil surface terrain changes, the row unit 10 moves relative to the soilsurface. When the shield 28 is mounted directly to the row unit, theshield 28 may roll along on the soil surface to accommodate the row unit10 movement.

In various implementations, the weight of the shield 28 can keep therolling shield 28 engaged with the soil surface. In alternativeimplementations, an adjustable spring force between the row unit 10 andshield 28 can be used to apply downward pressure on the soil in excessof the force from the weight of the shield 28 alone. In variousimplementations, the shield 28 comprises two shields 28 disposed oneither side of the row unit, that may move independently of each other.

Although this disclosure has been described with references to variousimplementation, persons skilled in the art will recognized that changesmay be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit andscope of this disclosure.

1. An agricultural planter comprising: a. a plurality of row units, eachrow unit comprising: i. one or more opening discs; ii. one or more gaugewheels; iii. one or more closing discs; b. a trench protection systemcomprising at least one of an adjustable row cleaner and/or a shield, 2.The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one row cleaneractuator.
 3. The system of claim 1, comprising at least one adjustablerow cleaner, wherein the row cleaner is adjustable via the at least oneactuator to adjust at least one of tilt angle, pitch angle, and wheeldepth.
 4. The planter of claim 1, comprising a flexible shield, whereinthe shield is disposed between the gauge wheels and the closing discs toblock residue from entering an open seed trench.
 5. The planter of claim1, comprising a shield, wherein the shield is attached to a seed firmer.6. The planter of claim 5, wherein the shield further comprises a coverdisposed on the seed firmer.
 7. The planter of claim 1, comprising ashield, wherein the shield is angled away from the one or more closingdiscs.
 8. The planter of claim 1, comprising a selectively detachableshield.
 9. The system of claim 1, comprising a shield, wherein theshield is constructed and arranged to roll along a ground surface. 10.The system of claim 1, comprising a shield, wherein the shield movesindependently of a seed firmer.
 11. (canceled)
 12. A seed trenchprotecting system for a row unit comprising: a. at least one closingdisc; b. at least one gauge wheel; and c. a trench protection systemcomprising: i. a row cleaner comprising a row cleaner row unit; and ii.a shield disposed between the at least one gauge wheel and the at leastone closing disc, wherein the shield prevents ingress of foreignmaterial into an open seed trench.
 13. The system of claim 12, furthercomprising at least two row cleaner wheels.
 14. The system of claim 13,wherein the row cleaner wheels further comprise tines and the length ofthe tines is automatically adjustable.
 15. The system of claim 14,wherein the tine length increases as planting speed increases.
 16. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the row tilt angle, pitch angle, and depthof the row cleaner wheels is automatically adjustable.
 17. (canceled)18. A seed trench protecting system for a row unit comprising at leastone closing disc and at least one gauge wheel, the trench protectionsystem comprising an adjustable row cleaner.
 19. The system of claim 18,wherein: a. the adjustable row cleaner comprises at least two rowcleaner wheels, and b. at least one of the row tilt angle, pitch angle,and depth of the row cleaner wheels is automatically adjustable.
 20. Thesystem of claim 19, wherein the row cleaner wheel pitch angle decreasesas planting speed increases.
 21. The system of claim 18, wherein: a. theadjustable row cleaner comprises at least two row cleaner wheels, and b.the row cleaner wheels further comprise tines and the length of thetines is automatically adjustable.
 22. The system of claim 21, whereinthe tine length increases as planting speed increases.
 23. (canceled)